Gearbox service

[Sir Tigger KC]

When I pulled the radiator out the other day I noticed that the ATF fluid was black.    And the box has got a bit 'thumpy' since as I lost some fluid and havn't topped it up yet. 

Changing the ATF is a job I've never fancied to be honest, so I phoned up a local gearbox specialist for a quote.......

Take a seat.......    £180 + VAT!!!! 

[minifreek]

Wait until you go to Vx and buy the 2 filters and the gaskets for the gearbox sumps.....

Just glad I bought the ATF fluid from B&Q when it was on offer a few months ago....

£180+ VAT is about right.....

[aaronjb]

And when you're laying under the car wearing a sump full of stinking ATF all over you and your clothes.. it'll seem like a bargain!

[Nick W]

When I pulled the radiator out the other day I noticed that the ATF fluid was black.    And the box has got a bit 'thumpy' since as I lost some fluid and havn't topped it up yet. 

Changing the ATF is a job I've never fancied to be honest, so I phoned up a local gearbox specialist for a quote.......

Take a seat.......    £180 + VAT!!!! 

The filter and gaskets cost £100 from Vauxhall, add £25 for a gallon of ATF(all retail prices remember). Considering what a fiddly, messy job it is to do without a pit or ramp, £180 seems pretty reasonable to me.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Or clean the filters in petrol or similar and use a decent flange sealant to do away with the gaskets.

Then get some Dex3 (not hard to find at an ok price, I used Triton 4000 from Opie on a recent one for circa £25 for 5 litres).

You do need a decent size oil catch tray

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I have wondered if it would be possible to change the fluid by having the engine running and disconnecting the pipes from the cooler.
The old ATF could be collected as it comes from the pipe going to the cooler while the new ATF could be sucked in via the return pipe from the cooler ?
I suppose the flaw in the theory is that the old filter gets left where it is. 

[aaronjb]

Basically exactly what one of these does: http://www.robinair.com/products/transmission-fluid-exchanger

Also the only way to change the fluid in the torque convertor.

[Sir Tigger KC]

And when you're laying under the car wearing a sump full of stinking ATF all over you and your clothes.. it'll seem like a bargain!

That's exactly why I've never fancied doing the job!    Think I'll top it up for the time being..... 

[Shackeng]

I've recently done mine again, and using one of these:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/transfer-suction-extractor-accessories-scavenge/dp/B009S6M88Y to drain the rear sump, lower it and remove and clean the filter, lower and drain the front sump (to find a broken thrust washer ), and then refit sumps with new gaskets and refill with ATF from GM, 20L for about £45. The whole job took less than two hours. It is well worth doing.

[Sir Tigger KC]

I thought about something like this to suck out as much ATF as I can before dropping the sump. Same idea as Shack's but cheaper.   

[BazaJT]

Filter and both gaskets available for very reasonable price from ABS.Black is definitely not a good colour for ATF to be,I don't suppose you recall if it smelt "burnt" do you?

[Sir Tigger KC]

Filter and both gaskets available for very reasonable price from ABS.Black is definitely not a good colour for ATF to be,I don't suppose you recall if it smelt "burnt" do you?

No but given the car is on 242,000 miles and I'm pretty sure it's never been changed, I suppose I can't complain. 

[STEMO]

Filter and both gaskets available for very reasonable price from ABS.Black is definitely not a good colour for ATF to be,I don't suppose you recall if it smelt "burnt" do you?

No but given the car is on 242,000 miles and I'm pretty sure it's never been changed, I suppose I can't complain. 

Have you ever considered buying a car that is not permanently on life support?

[BazaJT]

Oh,come on! Where's the fun in that

[Sir Tigger KC]

Filter and both gaskets available for very reasonable price from ABS.Black is definitely not a good colour for ATF to be,I don't suppose you recall if it smelt "burnt" do you?

No but given the car is on 242,000 miles and I'm pretty sure it's never been changed, I suppose I can't complain. 

Have you ever considered buying a car that is not permanently on life support?

No.